Martha is the youngest of three sisters and, in her mid-thirties, has the dubious honour of being the only one to call off a wedding at the last moment.
Now, feeling as if she’ll be single forever, and trying to keep her low opinion of her sister Iris’s fiancé to herself for risk of looking bitter, Martha needs a change of scene. I was rooting for Martha all the way!

Loved this book, a first for me from this author. A light hearted romance book set in Paxos, Greece and I loved the descriptive setting, So much that it felt like I had been transported there.
Highly recommend.

I love all of Helen's books, but as I know Corfu so well, I could recall at the beginning of the book where Martha was and where she met Milo. I couldn't put the book down and was so disappointed when the book finished - I need to know what happened, a cliff-hanger if ever there was one!

The Island of Dreams by Helen McGinn was a beautiful book from start to finish and written with love. This book was a beautiful, heart warming story that will take your mind to a better place especially if it is raining outside. Once I opened this book and started to read The Island of Dreams I wanted to be there, feel the sun on my face and sit by a pool and relax and become apart of this story.

It did not disappoint. I loved it and highly recommend it. So glad the cover caught my eye.

Big Thank you to Netgalley and especially Boldworld books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Brilliant book by Helen McGinn, lifting characters straight from the pages of this book into your life there are so relatable.

Martha heads off on her sisters honeymoon on her won, follow her to an Island just off Corfu and follow the friendships she makes and maybe she will also find a romantic connection.

Raced through this book to find out how Martha's story ended it was so good.

This book follows Martha, who faces family troubles but is offered a chance for a free solo getaway to a sunny island. A chance encounter leads to Martha finding warmth among the locals, enjoying routines like morning swims. The book balances feel-good moments with a hint of conflict and intrigue surrounding a past disappearance. Set on Paxos island, it offers readers an idyllic escape and a longing for sun and relaxation. Overall, it's described as pure escapism and a delightful read.

The Island of Dreams is a lovely, heartwarming story. Set on the beautiful Island of Greece.

Having called off her engagement some years ago Martha, feels like she needs an escape from her life, her family and her sister Iris's upcoming wedding. Which is definitely setting off alarm bells, after she has a run in with her fiancé when he tried to kiss her. Her sister Iris and her family send her abroad for a break and to try and get some closure.

This is the first book I have read by the author Helen McGinn but if definitely won't be the last. Her characters are warm, funny and the description of Paxos just jump off the page. It will be added to another place I want to visit.

If you like books set in warmer climes, that have a sense of friendship, community, finding a happy ending then this book is for you. It was really enjoyable and the view on the cover is delightful. I wish I was on route to Paxos instead of stuck in the rainy UK. I would be giving this book a 3.5*

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Really liked it. Will read more by the author and other books in the series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - It was just okay, didn’t move me, but don’t feel like I wasted me time reading it either.

Thank you for NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a quick read, well written and is sure to take the reader on a magical sunny holiday!
The storyline is realistic, a wonderful Greek Island awaits with relatable characters and the scenery is amazingly descriptive, the beach beckons!
The characters all have their important roles to play, Martha escapes to a beautiful island to relax and contemplate the family drama and where she fits in. Romance, discovery and heartwarming interactions reveal more as Martha develops as a person. Harry, Milo and Connie all become a great part of how the story unfolds.
A fabulous book for a lazy afternoon.

Thanks to Boldwood Books, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book. Reading it made me feel like I was on vacation!

I really enjoy writers and books that can transport me. This book did that which was fantastic considering I have been to Greece (not Paxos) and am a lover of all things Greek, so this book had me from the start. The characters really stood out and made you feel like they were real people. Definitely enjoyed this one.

Martha is the youngest of three sisters and, in her mid-thirties, has the dubious honour of being the only one to call off a wedding at the last moment.

Now, feeling as if she’ll be single forever, and trying to keep her low opinion of her sister Iris’s fiancé to herself for risk of looking bitter, Martha needs a change of scene.

When she is given the opportunity of a holiday to Paxos it seems too good to turn down, though the idea of travelling alone is daunting. And when the trip to the Greek island gets complicated, Martha wonders if this has all been a mistake.

But soon the island and its residents start to work their magic on Martha, and when she meets single father Harry and his adorable son Milo, a new way of living is revealed in contrast with the drab routine of her life back home. How can Martha leave behind the warmth of the people, the freedom and the fun, not to mention Harry and Milo when it’s time for her to go home…

There were parts of this book I really enjoyed. It is a nice, easy read. The setting in Greece and the girls’ nights out were fun. Without spoilers, the family that Martha meets in Greece – Harry, Milo and Connie – were the stars of the show. These characters had the most depth and I wanted to read more about them. The book started slowly and I did wonder if we were ever going to get to Greece. Then it was all over and wrapped up rather quickly.

Thanks to Boldwood Books for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Really enjoyed this book, what a good uplifting read. I felt myself being moved to sunnier places. Martha started on a lone holiday.
But met so many new people, new ways. Could she ever go home?

Martha's dislike of her sister's fiance is heightened when he tries to kiss her! She is still reeling from her own cancelled wedding so her family send her abroad to heal her heart...
The Island of Dreams is a romantic novel set in the UK and the Greek island of Paxos. I loved the geographical detail to the settings which underpin the plot.
Poor Martha. She made the brave decision that she didn't love Joe enough to marry him. Now she is accused of trying to split up her sister's relationship with the horrendous Toby when in reality he tried to kiss her. A break in the sun is just what she needs! She doesn't have the smoothest journey and meets a young boy trying to get back to the island. This leads to a number of friendships which bolster the plot, characters and relationships.
The book is written from the third person perspective and we see mostly Martha's experience, intertwined with some details of Harry and Connie's thoughts. The characters are so easy to like and all have been through the wringer emotionally. Martha's issues are at the forefront initially as she worries about her lost love life and the behaviour of her prospective brother in law. Meanwhile, Connie, Harry and Milo are all still affected by the disappearance of Asya (daughter/wife/mother).
This is a quick read but I felt fully invested in the characters and plot. Martha always tries to do the right thing and I really wanted her to find love and contentment. There are some big issues dealt with in the book but they are handled sensitively and in quite a light hearted way.
The Island of Dreams is a heartwarming book, equally great for the depths of winter or a beach read.

The Island of Dreams is a heartwarming story that transports you and makes you feel like your in island of Paxos. This will make a perfect beach or vacation read

Martha is the youngest daughter, coming home for her sister's wedding. She doesn't like her fiance one bit but decides not to say anything. Then he hits on her and tries to convince her sister that it was all her.

The wedding gets canceled and they turn it into a big party instead. Her sister convinces her to go on what was supposed to be her honeymoon alone, as a chance to do something new and get out of the rut she has been in ever since she canceled her wedding years before.

The trip doesn't start all that well at first, but soon the Greek island starts to work its magic on her, and she falls for it and the single father living there. The life there is much different from what she has been living and the change doesn't feel so bad at all. She has her freedom, has fun, and learns to enjoy her life again.

It's a lovely story of getting a fresh start and learning to live again. I liked the story, but for some reason couldn't get into it.

What a gorgeous setting for this escapist novel. The Greek sun seems so appealing and the sea shimmers away. Martha needs this escape. Despite her close family ties, she has tried to avoid being in her childhood home with its memories of her ex- fiance and her sister's wedding. You sense that Martha is ready for a change but not sure which direction to go in. She has tried to protect her heart and avoid amy entanglements.

The family who befriends Martha in Greece take her at face value and see such positives that she does not really see in herself. Her natural kindness draws people to her and she feels a sense of belonging in the community she meets. With a range of characters who add such colour to the story and strong central characters, this is an enjoyable read and perfect for holiday reading.

In short: escapist read

Happy to have discovered another new author that I enjoyed.
Escape to Paxos in beautiful Greece, to discover how Martha has a life changing solo break, this is definitely a page turner, loved it.

The Island of Dreams is a great read that you won't want to end. I loved how Helen combined the heartfelt along with the emotional hard things that happen in life and used the events to create a lovely story of love. I love the bond that Martha developed with Milo and how the community in Greece welcomed her with open arms. I loved the descriptions of Greece. A must read.

THE ISLAND OF DREAMS - Helen McGinn

Beautiful - 4 stars

Plot - 4 stars - When Martha is given the opportunity of a holiday to Paxos it seems too good to turn down, though the idea of travelling alone is daunting. And when the trip to the Greek island gets complicated, Martha wonders if this has all been a mistake.
But soon the island and its residents start to work their magic on Martha, and when she meets single father Harry and his adorable son Milo, a new way of living is revealed in contrast with the drab routine of her life back home.

Writing - 4 stars - I found the story easy to read and comfortable to get into. I was immediately transported into Martha's world, then was whisked away to a Greek island paradise.

Characters - 4 stars - I especially liked Martha as a main character. She's not perfect, she's worried about mistakes in her past, she's a bit concerned about traveling on her own, but she's also friendly and fun-loving and eventually opens herself to adventure. Harry is the mysterious stranger who quickly captures her imagination as well as her heart. Secondary characters of Connie and Milo added plenty of interest to the story.

Title - 4 stars - Pretty self-explanatory. The island is full of dreamy activities, dreamy people, and is the stuff that dreams are made of.

Cover - 4 stars - Beautiful bright sea blues with white sailboats, but I liked the way the woman is looking out over the view so you don't know whether or not she's a part of the location or not.

Overall - 4 stars - This is a new-to-me author, and I liked her book very much. She immediately drew me into the story, and I connected to Martha right away because she was both genuine and vulnerable. The characters were approachable, but the exotic setting made them seem more dreamlike, as though we were on a magical vacation with them. Secondary characters (as well as an unusual back story) also added a lot of depth to what might otherwise have been a typical light-hearted romance.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Island Of Dreams' by Helen McGinn.

Read and reviewed for Helen McGinn, Boldwood Books, Book & Tonic, The Bold Book Club, NetGalley and Rachel's Random Resources Tours.

Publication Date 13th February 2024.

This is the first book I have read by this author but it most definitely won't be my last.

This novel consists of 19 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

Well I am ABSOLUTELY gutted to come to the end of this book as it ends my stunning sofa holiday 😭

This book is beautifully written and completely absorbs you in the stunning atmosphere of Greece completely sucking you in with the vivid descriptions leaving you feel the warmth of the the sun and smell the fresh air. The synopsis and cover suits the storyline perfectly.

The storyline is authentic, unique and realistic as well as easy to read and heart-warming. It is just one of those absolutely stunning books that promises the reader gets completely lost in the pages for hours. I absolutely loved meeting Martha along with the rest of the characters in both stunning locations of Paxos and Devon. Thanks to Helen's stunning evocative writing skills I genuinely felt like I had packed my suitcase leaving rainy Wales for the stunning Greek sun. I could see the stunning island of Paxos, feel the sun on my skin and hear the waves splashing. You will want to book the day off whatever you had planned as once you pick up this book and turn the pages I can guarantee you will not want to put it down!! I found myself picking it up every spare second I had and not wanting to put it down so ended up reading it in one sitting in the end!! I loved how the story ended and I would love to read more about the life in this gorgeous Greek island of Paxos. An absolutely stunning escapism read!!!

Clear your schedules, pack your bags and get ready to go on a journey of a lifetime to the stunning Greek Island of Paxos!!!

The characters were all unique with their own realistic traits, strengths and weaknesses. There was a great variety of personalities and I enjoyed getting to know them all. My heart went out to Martha who is such a likeable character and I was rooting for her from the very start of the book. I loved watching her interactions, friendships and relationships grow and change between Martha, Harry, Milo, Connie and all the other characters. Helen's fantastic writing skills made it feel I was standing next to them throughout as they came to life as I was turning the pages. The only downside was the fact that I had to say goodbye to them when I came to the end as they very quickly came to feel like friends that I was enjoying getting to know. Well done Helen on creating an absolutely fantastic group of realistic, strong and unique characters. I would love to meet them again and hope to see this made into a movie!!!

A MASSIVE WELL DONE to Helen on a HUGE success!!! I loved every page of your book and I cannot wait to read more of your past and future books. This is the exact reason I would like to welcome you to my favourite authors! Here's to your next success 🥂

Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the prologue and first chapter of Helen's 'This Is Us' which promises to be just as gorgeous as this book and is one I'm definitely looking forward to reading myself!!!

Overall a true page turning, perfect and stunning romance that will sweep you off your feet and land you in Greece!!

257 pages

This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle, free with kindle unlimited and £9.45 in paperback, at time of review, via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews

#TheIslandOfDreams #HelenMcGinn #BoldwoodBooks #BoldwoodBloggers #BookAndTonic #RachelsRandomResources #rararesources #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour #Goodreads #NetGalley #Amazon #AmazonKindle #Bookstagram #Bookblogger #NetGalley #KindleUnlimited
@TheIslandOfDreams @HelenMcGinn @BoldwoodBooks @BoldwoodBloggers @BookAndTonic@Netgalley @RachelsRandomResources @rararesources @Bookworm1986 @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86 @Goodreads @Amazon @AmazonKindle @Bookstagram @BookBlogger @KindleUnlimited @NetGalley

https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?ref=bookmarks

https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__tn__=%2As-R

https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhitlock86/

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/34299953-kirsty-bookworm86

https://mobile.twitter.com/kcmw86

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/profile/amzn1.account.AFZ2XZBSFHIHXBXGZLBQ666XVK4A?ie=UTF8&ref_=ya_mb_l_prf